We've stayed there in the DVC villas. It was so peaceful and quiet! We loved the main pool, and the quiet pool. The location is very nice and we really enjoyed taking the boat ride to MK.
The food there is good (we'll leave Ol' Tink's usual complaint about how the DDP has ruined dining at Disney out of this discussion, but it still applies ) both at Whispering Canyon and Artist Point. They have a decent counter service place too.

Yes, I'm sure there is a huge difference. I have no idea how to do it, but I know that some people rent points to stay in the villas, and that makes it much more affordable. Last I know points were going for $10-12 each...
But I'm sure the resort section would be just as lovely.

How in the world did I not know that? This place is amazing....you learn something new ever day! So is the Artist's Point the same as Jiko? Whispering Canyon the same layout as Boma? I am gob smacked...not that you say it Tink, I can see how they are very very similar.

Oh no, not all all. Whispering Canyon is not a buffet, it's table service. They do offer an all you can eat skillet kind of thing. Artist Point is comparable with Jiko with regard to the quality of the food and service (and price). It's not set up like it though. I rather prefer Artist Point's set up over Jiko. Particularly the far right table which is in the corner where the corner is formed by windows. The view is glorious.

The general lobby area and the general architecture of the two buildings are the same structural plans.

The restaurant setup is totally different in AKL and Wilderness Lodge. We much prefer JIKO to Artist Point but both of them have excellent food. JIKO has an outstanding selection of South African Wines.

This was our first on-site stay and while it is a beautiful resort I prefer BC. Whispering Canyon food was awful and we vowed never to go back there (although breakfasts were really good) and I was a bit disappointed with the pool because there was no quiet pool when we first went, although there is one now by the DVC villas. Boat ride to MK was lovely but found the bus service to other parks a bit hit or miss. I still love walking round there but don't think I would go back again

This was our first on-site stay and while it is a beautiful resort I prefer BC. Whispering Canyon food was awful and we vowed never to go back there (although breakfasts were really good) and I was a bit disappointed with the pool because there was no quiet pool when we first went, although there is one now by the DVC villas. Boat ride to MK was lovely but found the bus service to other parks a bit hit or miss. I still love walking round there but don't think I would go back again

Click to expand...

Thanks for reply. Do you think it will have improved any since your visit? Pools are not important since we don't swim.

We stayed here back in May 2011 for the first and only time. The resort grounds are beautiful as is the lobby. We had a two bedroom villa in the DVC wing and while the room was large and spacious it was a bit run down. This side of the resort is very quiet and the quiet pool is nice. The main pool was noisy. We loved picking up a boat to MK and to The Contemporary/Fort Wilderness. There is also a nice walking path from the Lodge to FW. During our stay the buses seemed to run at normal increments.

Over all is was a nice experience but nothing special or out of the ordinary. We would stay here again but would not be in our top choices.